Publication: The sero-epidemiology of Rift Valley fever in people in the Lake Victoria Basin of western Kenya
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2017-06-07
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PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus affecting livestock and people. This
study was conducted in western Kenya where RVFV outbreaks have not previously been
reported. The aims were to document the seroprevalence and risk factors for RVFV antibodies
in a community-based sample from western Kenya and compare this with slaughterhouse
workers in the same region who are considered a high-risk group for RVFV exposure.
The study was conducted in western Kenya between July 2010 and November 2012. Individuals
were recruited from randomly selected homesteads and a census of slaughterhouses.
Structured questionnaire tools were used to collect information on demographic
data, health, and risk factors for zoonotic disease exposure. Indirect ELISA on serum samples
determined seropositivity to RVFV. Risk factor analysis for RVFV seropositivity was
conducted using multi-level logistic regression. A total of 1861 individuals were sampled in
384 homesteads. The seroprevalence of RVFV in the community was 0.8% (95% CI 0.5±
1.3). The variables significantly associated with RVFV seropositivity in the community were
increasing age (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1±1.4, p<0.001), and slaughtering cattle at the homestead
(OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.0±10.5, p = 0.047). A total of 553 slaughterhouse workers were
sampled in 84 ruminant slaughterhouses. The seroprevalence of RVFV in slaughterhouse
workers was 2.5% (95% CI 1.5±4.2). Being the slaughterman, the person who cuts the animal's
throat (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.0±12.1, p = 0.047), was significantly associated with RVFV
seropositivity. This study investigated and compared the epidemiology of RVFV between
community members and slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya. The data demonstrate
that slaughtering animals is a risk factor for RVFV seropositivity and that slaughterhouse
workers are a high-risk group for RVFV seropositivity in this environment. These risk factorshave been previously reported in other studies providing further evidence for RVFV circulation
in western Kenya.
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Keywords
Sero-epidemiology, Rift Valley fever, Kenya, Tropical diseases